The Goroka Show is a major cultural festival held in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands. Cultural groups from across the country come together for traditional sing-sing performances, wearing elaborate bilas, body decoration and face paint accompanied by chanting and Kundu drums.
Goroka Show
5 DAYS
4 NIGHTS
The Goroka Show
5 Days / 4 Nights
Across two days at the showgrounds, you’ll see sing-sing groups arrive in elaborate traditional dress, with colourful body decoration, intricate face painting and the sound of Kundu drums and chanting filling the festival. You’ll have time to move among the performers, learn more about the meaning behind different costumes and experience the incredible energy of the show up close.
The show brings together communities from across Papua New Guinea, each sharing their own unique traditions through dance, music and dress. It’s a chance to see just how diverse the country is, with every group bringing something different to the festival.
There’s plenty happening other than the performances, with local food, crafts and activity around the showgrounds adding to the atmosphere. Take your time exploring, meeting people and watching the festival unfold around you.
As well as the show, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time in Port Moresby before flying into the Highlands, visit a local coffee producer and explore Goroka and its markets as the town gets ready for the festival.
Local Guides.
Your South Sea Horizons guide will be there throughout your PNG tour, helping you understand the cultures, traditional dress and performances you’re seeing and giving you insight into the festival.
During the Goroka Show, your guide is right there throughout the day to answer questions and help you experience the event respectfully while getting closer to the action.
Highland Culture.
The Goroka Show brings together cultural groups with their own languages, traditions, dress, music and dance, making it an extraordinary introduction to the colourful culture of Papua New Guinea.
Traditional bilas, colourful face and body decoration, Kundu drums, chanting and sing-sing performances fill the showgrounds as groups gather and perform.
The first day also includes Pikinini Day, with children from across Papua New Guinea taking part in performances and the opening celebrations.
Goroka Show Dates 2027
The Goroka Show is one of Papua New Guinea’s most spectacular cultural celebrations, bringing together communities from across the country to share their traditions through colourful bilas, elaborate headdresses, traditional dance and music. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience the cultural diversity of the Highlands and meet the people behind these living traditions.
With South Sea Horizons, you’ll experience more than just the show itself. Our experienced local guides will take you beyond the festival grounds, introducing you to local communities, sharing the stories behind the traditions and helping you discover more of life in the Highlands.
Explore our 2027 Goroka Show tour dates below.
Itinerary
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Port Moresby
Day 1
Arrive Port Moresby
Welcome to Papua New Guinea. On arrival, you’ll be met by your South Sea Horizons concierge and privately transferred to the Hilton Hotel.
After checking in, we head out to explore Port Moresby, beginning with a guided visit to the National Museum and Art Gallery to discover more about Papua New Guinea’s history, art and culture.
From here, we continue to Port Moresby Nature Park for a closer look at some of the unique flora and fauna found across the country before returning to the hotel.
Accommodation:
Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby
Included activities:
National Museum and Art Gallery, Port Moresby Nature Park and Port Moresby city tour
Meals:
Dinner
Goroka
Day 2
Port Moresby to Goroka
After breakfast, we transfer to Port Moresby Airport for the short flight into the Highlands and Goroka.
After checking into the Bird of Paradise Hotel and having lunch, we head out to visit a local coffee producer. You’ll follow the coffee-making process from tree to cup and learn more about how Papua New Guinea’s coffee makes its way from the Highlands to markets around the world.
We then explore Goroka Town, including its local markets and famous bilum market. With the Goroka Show about to begin, the town will already be buzzing with visitors and performers arriving for the celebrations.
Flights:
Commercial flight Port Moresby to Goroka, including Executive Club
Accommodation:
Bird of Paradise Hotel, Goroka
Included activities:
Niugini HIghlands Coffee Tour, Goroka Town Tour and local markets
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Goroka Show Day 1
Day 3
Goroka Show
Today we head to the showgrounds for the first day of the Goroka Show.
Sing-sing groups begin arriving in the morning, dressed in traditional costumes, elaborate body decorations and colourful face paint. You’ll have the opportunity to walk among the performers, meet people taking part and learn more about the different styles of traditional dress and their cultural significance.
Day one is also Pikinini Day, bringing children from across Papua New Guinea together for performances and opening celebrations.
A picnic lunch is provided at the showgrounds so you can stay close to the action throughout the day.
Accommodation:
Bird of Paradise Hotel, Goroka
Included activities:
Goroka Show Day 1, Pikinini Day, opening celebrations and sing-sing performances
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Goroka Show Day 2
Day 4
Goroka Show
Return to the showgrounds for another full day immersed in the colour, sound and energy of the Goroka Show.
Spend more time among the different sing-sing groups as performers gather in traditional regalia for another day of dancing, chanting and Kundu drums.
With so many communities represented, the second day gives you more time to experience the different traditions, costumes and performances that come together at this remarkable Highlands festival.
Accommodation:
Bird of Paradise Hotel, Goroka
Included activities:
Goroka Show Day 2 and traditional sing-sing performances
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Port Moresby
Day 5
Goroka to Port Moresby
After breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred to Goroka Airport for your return flight to Port Moresby.
Your South Sea Horizons guide will assist with check-in, with Executive Lounge access included. On arrival in Port Moresby, transfer to the international terminal for your departing international flight.
Flights:
Commercial flight Goroka to Port Moresby, including Executive Club
Meals:
Breakfast
Explore the Goroka Show.
Essential Information.
This five-day PNG tour combines two full days at the Goroka Show with time exploring Port Moresby and Goroka.
The tour includes one night at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, three nights at the Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka, return economy flights between Port Moresby and Goroka, meals as outlined in the itinerary, scheduled tours and activities, and transfers.
What is the Goroka Show?
What is a sing-sing?
A sing-sing is a gathering where cultural groups share traditional dance, music, dress and ceremony. At the Goroka Show, you’ll see groups with their own distinct styles of performance and traditional regalia.
What happens on Pikinini Day?
The first day of the Goroka Show includes Pikinini Day, with children from across Papua New Guinea taking part in performances alongside the festival’s opening celebrations.
What else will I experience on the tour?
Before the festival, you’ll explore Port Moresby’s National Museum and Art Gallery and Nature Park. In Goroka, you’ll visit a local coffee producer, explore the town and visit its local markets and bilum market.
What accommodation is included?
The tour includes one night at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby and three nights at the Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes. Return economy-class flights between Port Moresby and Goroka are included, along with Executive Lounge access as outlined in the itinerary.
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